Valtteri Bottas Could Return to Formula 1 Sooner Than Expected with Alpine

Valtteri Bottas, the 10-time Grand Prix winner, might be back on the Formula 1 grid sooner than many expected. Alpine, currently struggling massively with performance and results, has emerged as the leading candidate to sign Bottas if they decide to part ways with their current second driver, Franco Colapinto. This potential move has stirred significant interest in the paddock, especially considering Bottas’s planned switch to Cadillac for the 2026 season.

Alpine’s Struggles and Colapinto’s Underwhelming Performance

Alpine’s 2025 season has been a harsh reality check. The French team currently sits dead last in the Constructors’ Championship with just 11 points — all of which have been scored by their lead driver, Pierre Gasly. The second seat, meanwhile, has been a thorn in Alpine’s side. After replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto, hopes were high that the Argentine driver would bring fresh energy and results. However, the reality has been disappointing.

Franco’s performance hasn’t met expectations, and Alpine’s leadership has been quite vocal about the urgency to improve. Flavio Briatore, the team’s advisor, has sent a clear message: the team will continue to change drivers until they find the right fit. After the Austrian Grand Prix, Briatore remarked that while the car showed potential — good enough for Q3 qualifying — Alpine still lacked having two competitive cars on race day. Colapinto’s inability to consistently reach that performance threshold has placed his future at Alpine in jeopardy.

Why Bottas Makes Sense for Alpine

Given Alpine’s dire situation, the name Valtteri Bottas is very attractive. Bottas ticks many boxes that Alpine needs: experience, proven race-winning pedigree, and familiarity with Mercedes power units, which Alpine will switch to in the upcoming technical regulations era. His presence could help Alpine capitalize on chaotic races where points are up for grabs — much like Gasly did during some recent double points finishes.

Bottas himself has admitted to ongoing discussions between his management and Alpine, which keeps this possibility very much alive. He recognizes the political nature of Formula 1’s driver market and understands that he doesn’t bring the vast personal funding that some other drivers might. However, what Bottas does bring is valuable race-winning experience and a steady hand — qualities Alpine desperately needs.

The Catch: How Does This Affect Bottas’s Cadillac Plans?

While Alpine appears interested, this scenario complicates Bottas’s anticipated move to Cadillac in 2026. Cadillac is an ambitious new team entering F1 with huge investment and Ferrari power units, promising a fresh start and more competitive machinery. Alpine, on the other hand, is in turmoil with inconsistent leadership and a struggling car that is unlikely to contend near the front anytime soon, even with the upcoming Mercedes power unit boost.

If Bottas accepts a mid-season return with Alpine in 2025, he risks getting stuck in a backmarker team for a full season — potentially harming his momentum and standing ahead of his Cadillac debut. Furthermore, signing with Alpine could imply a multi-year commitment, as the team might want stability moving into the new regulations, which could limit Bottas’s flexibility to join Cadillac on his own terms.

Alpine’s Internal Challenges and the Impact on Bottas

Alpine’s current organizational chaos cannot be understated. The return of Flavio Briatore signals how deeply the team is struggling to find its identity and consistency. Alpine’s leadership and technical departments have undergone multiple shake-ups, and the uncertainty at the top creates a risky environment for any driver, especially one in Bottas’s position.

Joining Alpine means stepping into a team desperate to rebuild but lacking a clear path to rapid success. For Bottas, this means his return might not deliver the immediate competitive results that fans and sponsors expect. However, it could allow him to stay sharp and maintain race fitness before Cadillac’s 2026 launch.

Cadillac’s Position and Other Driver Options

Cadillac’s position in this equation is interesting. The American outfit is building its F1 program with an experienced, mixed driver lineup in mind. While Bottas is their leading veteran candidate, they also have other options. Sergio Pérez, a six-time Grand Prix winner, is reportedly available and has publicly expressed his eagerness to prove himself after a controversial exit from Red Bull Racing. Pérez’s presence on the market offers Cadillac the possibility of pairing two experienced race winners or mixing a veteran with a promising rookie.

From Cadillac’s perspective, having a driver negotiate with other teams — such as Alpine — could be seen as a red flag. It creates uncertainty about driver commitment and potentially destabilizes their long-term plans. Still, competition for seats is par for the course in Formula 1, especially when multiple teams are hungry for proven talent.

Bottas’s Own Take on the Situation

Valtteri Bottas has openly discussed the political and financial realities behind securing an F1 seat. He acknowledges he doesn’t have the financial backing that some of his rivals do, which means his next move must be based on performance and opportunity rather than pure funding.

“There are lots of politics in this sport,” Bottas said. “I don’t have tens of millions to pay for a seat. It depends on the team, but I do have some personal partners that could potentially join me, but still not to the extent of some others. Let’s wait and see a few races and see how things go. You never know if something opens up.”

His words reveal a pragmatic approach — willing to wait for the right offer but ready to jump back into the fray if Alpine or another team makes a competitive proposal.

What Could Bottas Bring to Alpine?

Experience. Bottas’s tenure at Mercedes saw him contributing to one of the most dominant eras in recent F1 history. His understanding of Mercedes power units, race strategies, and car development could be invaluable as Alpine transitions to new regulations and power units in 2026. Even if Alpine remains a midfield or backmarker team in 2025, Bottas’s knowledge and feedback could accelerate the team’s development.

Moreover, having a veteran driver with proven racecraft could help Alpine maximize points during chaotic races and capitalize on opportunities that arise from incidents or retirements, something that has been missing from their second seat this year.

Final Thoughts: Which Team Should Bottas Choose?

The decision for Bottas is complex. On one hand, Alpine offers an immediate return to Formula 1, a chance to keep his skills sharp, and the opportunity to help a struggling team rebuild. On the other hand, Cadillac represents a fresh start with potentially better resources, more competitive machinery, and a chance to be part of a new era of Formula 1 from the ground up.

If Bottas prioritizes staying active and visible in F1 in the short term, Alpine might be the better choice despite the challenges. However, if he wants to focus on building for the long-term future, holding out for Cadillac’s 2026 debut might be the smarter path.

What Do You Think?

Could Bottas’s experience turn the tides for Alpine in 2025? Would a mid-season switch benefit his career, or should he focus solely on Cadillac’s future? With both teams reportedly interested and stakes this high, Bottas’s next move will be pivotal — for his career and for the competitive landscape of Formula 1.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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